.36
calibre Bootleg pistol firing sequence

Although only of .36 inch
calibre this under hammer 'Bootleg' single shot percussion pistol generates
quite a large amount of felt recoil, due mainly to its light weight not
absorbing much energy and thus passing it on to the firer. The benefit of under
hammer guns is that the marksman has an unobstructed view of the sights, without
any disturbing metalwork to spoil the view. Like all muzzle loading black powder
guns that use percussion caps for ignition, there is some gas escape from the
flash hole and this can be seen just above the firer's right thumb in the first
photograph below. Note the large amount of grey smoke produced on firing, the
origin of the phrase, "The fog of war".